JLPT N4 Grammar
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to make an effort to
Category: Intentions & Decisions
The grammar pattern ～ようにする is used to express a conscious effort or intention to establish a habit or ensure a result. It indicates that someone is making an effort to achieve a certain goal or prevent something from happening. This pattern is often used in situations where someone is trying to develop a new habit or behavior, or to prevent a negative outcome. For example, "忘れ物をしないようにする" means "to make an effort not to forget things" or "to try not to forget things."
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Nai-form | Verb (Nai-form) + ようにする | 食べないようにする |
| Potential-form | Verb (Potential-form) + ようにする | 食べられるようにする |
| Volitional-form | Verb (Volitional-form) + ようにする | 食べたいようにする |
忘れ物をしないようにする、カバンの中を毎日確認します。
Wasuremono o shinai you ni suru, kabanchou o mainichi kantekimasu.
I make an effort not to forget things, so I check my bag every day.
忘れ物をしないようにする (make an effort not to forget things) + カバンの中を毎日確認します (check my bag every day)
明日は大切な日ですから、遅刻しないようにする。
Ashita wa taisetsu na hi desu kara, chokke shinai you ni suru.
Tomorrow is an important day, so I make an effort not to be late.
明日は大切な日ですから (tomorrow is an important day) + 遅刻しないようにする (make an effort not to be late)
寝る前に、パソコンを消すようにする。
Neru mae ni, pasokon o kesu you ni suru.
Before I go to bed, I make an effort to turn off the computer.
寝る前に (before I go to bed) + パソコンを消すようにする (make an effort to turn off the computer)
毎日、自転車に乗るようにする。
Mainichi, jidouya ni noru you ni suru.
I make an effort to ride a bicycle every day.
毎日 (every day) + 自転車に乗るようにする (make an effort to ride a bicycle)
来週は、勉強しないようにする。
Raishuu wa, benkyou shinai you ni suru.
Next week, I make an effort not to study.
来週は (next week) + 勉強しないようにする (make an effort not to study)
This pattern is used to express a conscious effort or intention to establish a habit or ensure a result. It is often used in situations where someone is trying to develop a new habit or behavior, or to prevent a negative outcome. The pattern is typically used in the present tense, but it can also be used in the future tense to express a future intention. The pattern is not typically used in the past tense, as it is not used to express a past action or state.
For example, "食べることができるようになる" means "to become able to eat," whereas "食べることができるようにする" means "to make an effort to be able to eat."
For example, "明日は遅刻することにします" means "I will be late tomorrow," whereas "明日は遅刻しないようにする" means "I make an effort not to be late tomorrow."
For example, "食べられるようにする" is correct, whereas "食べるようにする" is incorrect.
When using the pattern ～ようにする in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct verb form and to express a conscious effort or intention. Avoid confusing this pattern with other patterns, such as ようになる or ことにする.
忘れ物をしない______、カバンの中を毎日確認します。
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